Captain Dick Whalen, U.S. Navy (Retired), graduated from the Naval Academy in 1963. He served thirty years at sea and ashore, including as Commanding Officer of two warships. Both vessels were recognized best-in-class recipient of Atlantic Fleet Awards for athletics, leadership, and personnel retention.

Dick began parent-coaching soccer of his eldest son’s recreation team in 1977 while on duty in the Washington area, followed by first coach of the highly successful ‘72 boys Springfield Youth Club “Express” travel team. As “Officer Representative” while Director of Professional Development at the U.S. Naval Academy, he mentored varsity soccer athletes, coached a Bowie, Maryland travel club and, subsequently, Pascagoula, Mississippi recreational and State ODP teams. After reassignment to Hampton Roads, Dick formed the “Parent’s Soccer Association of Virginia Beach:, successfully lobbying the School System to change high school soccer from afternoon to an evening format, increasing player recruiting visibility and families ability to see offspring in action. While President of Beach FC for several years, he focused on improving player college recruiting and was instrumental in the creation of the Hampton Roads Soccer Council (HRSC) and its premier 75 acre Soccer Complex. To generate Complex revenues, Dick led creation of the “North American Sand Soccer Championships (NASSC) in 1994, now the largest amateur and pro/am sand/beach soccer festival worldwide. In its 25th year, NASSC has hosted 200,000 youth and adult players, raising millions of dollars for the Complex. He was selected as a Tourism Ambassador” by Virginia Beach.

Joe was born in Germany and emigrated to Baltimore when he was ten. He achieved All-American honors at the University of Maryland and was named to the US Olympic team in 1952. After some time away from the game, Joe again became involved with the formation of Montgomery Soccer, Inc. His MSI travel team was a high-quality team that was allowed to play Virginia teams and enter what later became the National Capital Soccer League, which he helped organize and develop. Joe received the Founder’s Award from NCSL for his efforts in the development of youth soccer in the DC/Virginia/Maryland region. He was also a referee for many years.

Richard Broad (Veteran) - Inducted 2016Richard is a television analyst for Fox Sports and The American Sports Network, and is president of American Soccer Programs and Director of Middle States Soccer Camp. He was the head men’s coach at George Mason University, where he raised the program from Division III status to the Division I level, and was twice selected South Atlantic Region Coach of the Year. Prior to that, Richard was head men’s coach at W. T Woodson High School, where he took his teams to the State Tournament four times. He also coached several successful club teams.

Garland Carter served as Treasurer of VYSA for three years from 1982 through 1985. He brought professionalism into the position through his accounting based background. During his tenure as the VYSA Treasurer he secured tax exempt status as a section 501(c)3 organization. Also during his tenure, he took on the responsibility of reorganizing the DC/VA State Referee program. The State Youth and Amateur Associations were having growing and organizational difficulties with the Referee organization. Garland was appointed by both State Associations to be the State Referee Administrator. With his experience as a USSF referee, and a Youth Association officer, he was able to reorganize the program and returned the confidence to all three organizations.

Garland also was a coach in WAGS for many years; he coached the 1969 FPYC Flyers. His daughter Kathy Carter the goalkeeper for the team, is now the President of Soccer United Marketing, a position which, oversees the commercial and marketing aspects of Major League Soccer. Kathy also served as the United States representative on FIFA’s Committee for Women’s Football and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

John was born in England, and during the 1960’s and 70’s was a staff coach for the English Football Association, where he worked with the youth and National teams in developing soccer in Trinidad and Tobago, Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. He was the Director and Staff Coach for National Coaching Qualifying Courses and the Director of the English Schools Player Development Program. As a coach and player, John also served as the Director of Soccer Coaching and Head Coach to the Combined Military Services of Great Britain. He was head coach of several semi-professional teams while also helping to develop the National team program. He came to the US in the early 1980’s and immersed himself in youth soccer coaching, including leading several teams to National Championships. He was the US Women’s National Team assistant coach when the team won a silver medal at the 2000 Olympics and a gold medal at the CONCACAF Gold Cup. John was a member of the VYSA Coaching Education Staff, president of Soccer Academy, Inc., and, in 2001, was recognized by the NSCCA with the “Lifetime Award” for services to youth soccer.

Emekli's soccer career began in Turkey in the 1930's and continued in the United States from 1951 - 2010. Turk played an instrumental role in advancing college and professional soccer. As head coach, Turk led the Washingon Whips during the inaugural season of the NASL. Under Turk as player-head coach, Catholic University set national scoring records and won Mason-Dixon titles in 1956 and 1957; Catholic still surpasses the all-time best NCAA Division I records for team and individual goals scored per game average in a season. Turk, First Team All-Mason Dixon and 1992 Catholic Hall of Fame inductee, coached Catholic for 21 seasons. Recognized as the best player on the field by Galatasaray legend Gündüz Kılıç, Emekli played with Genclerbirligi Soccer Club, the Greek Americans in the German American Soccer League, Central Valet, Lido, and the Italian Americans in the National Soccer League. Turk later enjoyed a 40-year officiating career.

When Susan started refereeing in 1975, there were no women referees in DC or VA. Susan became a USSF referee in 1975 and over a career of 37 years, she refereed youth, senior amateur, high school, college, and professional games – over 6,000 in all. She was the first woman in Virginia to become both a State Grade referee and a State Referee instructor. Some of her other accomplishments include: first woman to referee a men’s league final; first woman from Virginia to be invited to referee at the NCAAfinal four; and first woman to referee in both a professional league and an international friendly. Susan was also a referee assessor and secretary for the National Soccer League of Washington, DC.

Nelson was a Washington, DC, native who played tennis and football in high school. He continued playing tennis while on active duty in Germany and earned the title of US Army in Europe tennis champion in 1955. The following year, Nelson and seven others co-founded the D.C. Soccer Referees Association, which later became the Metropolitan Washington Soccer Referees Association. During his 40 years with the MWSRA, he served as Commissioner, Treasurer, President, and Executive Board member. In addition to actively serving as a soccer referee, he was a basketball official and softball umpire. After teaching physical education classes at the University of Maryland at College Park for four years, Nelson taught physical education and driver education at Montgomery Blair High School for 35 years. There he coached successful tennis and soccer teams and served as the Athletic Director. Nelson was inducted into the Maryland State Athletic Directors’ Hall of Fame in 1990. The Nelson Kobren Memorial Gymnasium was dedicated at Montgomery Blair High School in 1998.

Pat coached in many different capacities during his life. He was a high school coach for 16 years, an assistant coach at Old Dominion University, an ODP coach, and a head coach with Hampton Roads Piranhas for three seasons. He led the Piranhas to a National Championship appearance. Pat also was the Director of Coaching at the Norfolk United and Atlantic Soccer Clubs. He worked as a field producer at the 1994 World Cup in Florida and at the 1996 Olympics. Accepting this award is his wife, Joan, and his son, Pat.

Everett Merritt (Veteran) - Inducted 2015Everett started his amateur career in the German American league in New York as a teenager. He then played his collegiate soccer at the University of Bridgeport and led his team to the finals of the first NCAA Division I tournament in 1959. He was selected to the All-New England squad 3 years running. After graduation, he played with three National Soccer League teams in Washington, DC: Maggies, which finished second in the League and won the Roland Cup; the Washington Internationals Soccer Club; and the British Lions. He coached in the National Capital Soccer League for about ten years, during which time his teams won two NCSL Division One titles and Virginia State Championships, along with five consecutive Arlington Invitational Fall Tournament titles. Everett was inducted into the University of Bridgeport Hall of Fame in 2009, which was the 50th anniversary of the first NCAA final.

Sports Illustrated called Bill “the winningest coach ever in college soccer” in 1978. He was the first collegiate soccer coach to win 300 games, completing his career with 371 wins and 31 consecutive winning seasons at Lynchburg College. He introduced soccer to the Lynchburg area in 1952, and two years later his Lynchburg Hornets became the fourth team in Virginia to play collegiate soccer. Bill was a coach, professor, and athletic director, and is credited with being a major force in the growth of collegiate soccer. He has been inducted into eight Halls of Fame, including the National Soccer Hall of Fame, was named Coach of the Year 28 times, and was recognized in 1991 by the Virginia General Assembly for his “Unparalleled Record of Achievement”. He also received the NSCAA’s Honor Award.

Dennis was a forward with Manchester United, where he scored 179 goals in 294 matches and played a big part in the winning of League Championships in1956 and 1957. He moved to Stoke City in 1962; the team won two Second Division Championship medals and one League Cup runners’ up medal. He coached the Washington Diplomats of the NASL for several years, and then moved to the New England Tea Men. The team relocated to Jacksonville, where Dennis became head coach at Jacksonville University. He then joined the Richmond Kickers, who in 1995 won the USISL Premier League title and the US Open Cup championship. Dennis finished his coaching career with the A-League Jacksonville Cyclones.

Richard was born in England and moved to the United States after World War II. He served in Suwon, Korea in 1951 - 1952. He had soccer balls shipped to him to kick around with the local children which he gifted to them when he returned home. He played soccer at the University of Florida from 1956-1960. In 1961, he played with the British Lions in Washington, DC, and several other teams, and finished his playing career with the Annandale “over 30 gang” in 1991. Richard began his coaching career in 1967 with the Annandale Boys Club 1964 Rebels/Apprentices, who in 1982 won the Maguire Cup in Omaha. He also coached many teams in Annandale, Vista, Braddock Road, Fredericksburg, and Stafford. From 1979 through 1983, Richard coached U16 Boys, U18 Girls, and U16 Girls State Select teams that participated in Region I competition. He retired to Tennessee, where he currently coaches the Adamsville High School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams, as well as Parks and Recreation Department soccer teams. He is in his 48th year coaching soccer.

Bill became involved with youth soccer when his sons joined the DC Stoddert Soccer League, where he served as coach and commissioner. While he was volunteer chairman of the Board of Directors of DCSSL the club doubled its membership. Bill instituted club partnering with other soccer organizations, including Georgetown University Men’s Soccer, created the Cherry Blossom Festival Soccer Tournament, and aided in the development of inner city soccer programs. He assisted with the development of DC Scores and served on its Board. Bill was involved with the upgrade of existing inner city soccer fields and the creation of new fields in the city. He also served as VYSA’s Director of Field Development.

Meritorious Service Inductees Bios

Jim Sadowski has been involved in many capacities in Soccer in the Virginia/DC area. He played at George Washington University as a walk on from 1985-1987, and was captain the Arlington Tigers and GWU Colonials competitive men’s teams 1986-1999. Jim played and served as manager for the Mall Rats Coed team from 1994-2009. The Mall Rats dominated coed soccer in the area for more than 10 years winning the league title more than 10 times as well as multiple tournament titles. Jim’s Mall Rats Team also won the USASA open and U30 Coed Cups in 1999, 2003, 2009. Jim also played with the Richmond Lions Masters U40 team at the Neptune Soccer Classic. Jim has served the Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association for many years. He was Vice President from 2001-2002 and has served as President since 2002. Jim has also served at the Adult representative of the State Referee Committee since 2002. Jim founded and ran the Capital Coed Soccer League from 1994-2002, the first USSF affiliated coed league in the District. Jim has also refereed at every level of youth and adult soccer since first becoming a Grade 8 referee in 1986. He was a national referee from 2009-2014 and a volunteer referee for eight Veteran’s Cups. Jim also served on the USASA Coed Cup Committee from 1999-2006 as the Region 1 representative, then as Chair from 2007-2009. Jim was a DC United season ticket holder from its inaugural year in 1996 to 2013. Jim was also the referee liaison for the Women’s World Cup in 2003, the USMNT vs. Panama World Cup Qualifier at RFK, and for several games for D.C. United. Jim was a member of the US Soccer Foundation Grants Committee from 2008- 09. He has also attended six straight World Cups to support the USMNT and he attended all but one of the USWNT matches at the 2003 Women’s World Cup.

Danny began coaching in the early 80’s as a teenager in Greensboro, NC. He coached 6 NCYSA State Champion teams with one of his teams advancing to the finals of the Southern Regionals losing to North Texas. He moved to the Roanoke area in 1986, where he helped start Roanoke Valley Youth Soccer Club and turn it into a Roanoke Star. He is now in his 32nd year in charge of that club. Danny has been active locally with a number of local Boards of Directors, as well as providing opportunities to play for underprivileged youth in Roanoke. Throughout his time in Roanoke, he has helped over 700 players achieve their dreams of playing soccer at the next level collegiately. Danny has helped bring professional soccer to the Roanoke Valley, through amateur and exhibition games. Locally, Danny has impacted the economic growth through hosting tournaments since the late 80's. Danny was one of the pioneers in helping form VCCL in the 90’s, which has now turned into the CCL (Club Champions League) where he currently serves as the President. For 22 years, Danny has taken players to Europe to compete in the Gothia Cup. In 2015, he was recognized by the Gothia Cup for his consistency and loyalty, and welcomed into their Hall of Fame. He continues to take coaching education trips to help further his knowledge of the game, and build relationships with other clubs domestically and internationally. In 2016, Danny started a tutor/ESL program in partnership with the Blue Ridge Literacy Program and Junior Women’s League, to help local soccer players thrive academically in order to participate in Roanoke Star. Danny served on the VYSA BOD for a number of years and served as VYSA ODP Director for many years. He recently helped open a brand new soccer facility (Countryside Sportsplex) with 6 grass fields in the heart of Roanoke.

(Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2008

Ferdinand Paciolla (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2008 Ferdinand Paciolla had a major impact on youth soccer in Northern Virginia. He was involved in the creation and administration of the National Capital Soccer League, and served as Chair of the Rules and Discipline Committee, League Commissioner, and President. He was instrumental in the development of the Springfield Youth Club, particularly the establishment of the travel soccer program. He helped to establish a standardized coaching program. He also started the WAGS Tournament and the Capital Cup. Ferdinand holds a USSF “C” License and coached the Springfield Boys Club ‘67 Raiders, the Annandale Boys Club ‘67 Sabres, and the Annandale Boys Club ‘70 Cavaliers, all NCSL Division I teams, for many years. He is also a USSF-FIFA Licensed referee.

Al Albert (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2005 Al was the head men’s soccer coach at the College of William and Mary for 33 years, after graduating from that college in 1969. Over the course of his coaching career, his teams have amassed 401 wins, made 12 NCAA appearances, and finished in the Final 8 in both 1980 and 1996. He is one of only eight Division 1 college coaches to have won 400 games. Al has owned and operated the Tidewater Soccer Camps for over 30 years. He helped to establish the Williamsburg Soccer Club in 1974, and is still a director. He is an officer in many local and national soccer organizations; he is past president of the National Soccer Coaches Association. He received the Bill Jeffrey Award from the NCSAA to honor his longtime contribution to college soccer. Al is currently the Associate Director of Athletic Development at the College of William and Mary. He is a past president of the NSCAA and has received the Bill Jeffrey Award and the Honor Award from the association. He presently chairs the NSCAA Foundation.

Gary Allen led his Randolph-Macon College team to the Virginia College Athletics Championship in 1972. While still in college he was named
as an alternate to the US Olympic Team. After college he began his coaching career, coaching both Men’s and Women’s Division I College programs, high school teams, state and regional Olympic Development teams, and a Women’s State Team that won three National Championships. Gary became the youngest coach in Virginia to attain the US Soccer “A” License, was Virginia’s first ODP coach and one of the first two Coaching Education instructors in the state. In 1980 he was appointed as Co-Director of the Eastern US Regional Camp for the Olympic Sports Festival. In 1994 he became a member of the US National Coaching Staff. Over the years, Gary has coached 31 players who made All-American in college and 17 players who made the US National Teams. He has received national attention for his many articles concerning youth soccer development in the United States.

Dave’s soccer career began at the age of six. He went on to become a three-time All South Selection and four-time Most Valuable Player at Campbell College, NC. In 1971 he organized a summer soccer league in Richmond, in 1976 he formed the Richmond Strikers, and in 1985 he founded the FC Richmond Magic. Dave was active for 20 years in both boys and girls ODP as a Region 1 staff coach and a Virginia State team coach. He also served as Director of the JCP State Coaching School for ten years. During his career, Dave has coached and participated in the development of 12 National Team players, several college, high school, and Parade All-Americans, 20 professional players, and 3 professional-level coaches. Among his proudest achievements is the Virginia Club Champions League, which he formed in 1997. The VCCL has grown to eight clubs from all over Virginia and continues to be one of the most progressive and competitive leagues in the country.

Bruce Arena (Meritorious Service) - Inducted 2002Arena has been coaching soccer since his college graduation. At the University of Virginia he won five NCAA Division I Championships and received seven ACC Coach of the Year honors, along with the National Coach of the Year Award in 1993. He led D. C. United to victory in the MLS Cup during its inaugural season, and the following year earned MLS Coach of the Year honors. In 1998 he took over as head coach of the U. S. Men’s National Team with the goal of qualifying for the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Korea/Japan. His team finished in third place at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Mexico in 1999 and in first place at the 2000 Nike U. S. Cup. As he approaches his 50th game at the helm of the U. S. Men, Arena has compiled a 22-12-12 record.

Mike’s soccer career began at the University of Maine at Farmington, where he was a goalkeeper and team captain. His collegiate coaching career began at Maine’s Thomas College. He then led UNC-Greensboro to NCAA Division II national titles in 1982 and 1983. Next, at Old Dominion, his team won the 1987 Sun Belt Conference Championship. In 1996, Mike guided Notre Dame through its most successful season, when they won the Big East Tournament Championship. He was the National Director of Coaching for the NSCAA, the NCAA National Coach of the Year, Division III, in 1982, and the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year in 1993 and 1994. Mike was honored by the Maine Sports Hall of Fame with the 1997 Outstanding Achievement Award and the 1995 Presidential Award, and was inducted into the Maine-Farmington Sports Hall of Fame in 1999, shortly before he passed away.

Julie's career in soccer began when her oldest started playing. She was a team mom and a team manager, then became an NCSL registrar in 1985 and head NCSL registrar a few years later. She was hired as VYSA Administrator in 1992 and opened the first State Office, where she had overseen the growth of VYSA from fewer than 50,000 players to more than 150,000. For many years Julie was also the administrator of the ODP and Coaching Education Program. She served as VYSA Workshop/Convention Administrator for more than 20 years, and as the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Administrator since its inception. Julie has also done much as a volutneer, including working at the 1994 World Cup, helping with the Men's and Women's National Team games hosted at RFK, and helping the Federation staff in managing it's AGMs. She was inducted the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame in 2014 and received The Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award in 2015. Julie retired from VYSA in November 2015 after 23 years as VYSA Administrator, but continues to volunteer as the VA-DC Soccer Hall of Fame Staff Director.

During and after a successful career as an Air Force officer, Bob spent 30 years as a volunteer soccer coach. He coached three travel teams, helping to develop some of the top players at Division One colleges. He focused on individual and team development, but also instilled in his players lessons that could be used throughout their lives – showing the best of sportsmanship and giving back to the sport and to society. Bob’s teams won 15 Virginia State Championships and were finalists 11 additional times. He pioneered U-20 and U-23 team competition for WAGS and championed starting U-17 competition. Bob was selected as VYSA’s Girls Competitive Coach of the Year in 1987, 1991, and
2008. He was also chosen as Region I US Youth Soccer Coach of the Year in 1991.

Jac is currently the boys’ varsity head soccer coach at Centreville High School as well as a U15 WAGS coach. Prior to taking those positions,
he spent 13 years as the head women’s coach at George Mason University, where his teams made five NCAA tournament appearances and where he won College Division I Coach of the Year Honors in 1993. Jac was a Region I ODP girls’ head coach for 17 years and ODP boys’ staff coach for three years. The women’s U20 National Team was the winner of the first U20 European Championships while he was the assistant coach. His Olympic Sports Festival Women’s team won a silver medal in 1993. Jac was the boys’ varsity coach at Lake Braddock Secondary School for 10 years, where the team won four state championships and he earned National High School Coach of the Year Honors in 1983 and 1990. He was named the 1987 US Youth Soccer Boys Coach of the Year. Jac was also a VYSA charter Board member.

For the last 36 years Kevin has coached at the club, league, state, college, and regional levels and has had a major and sustained positive impact on the development of soccer in Virginia. He was one of the founders of Beach FC Travel Soccer where he coached very successful teams. Kevin served on the VYSA Board of Directors as Boys South Travel Commissioner from 1990-1992 then as Southeast Rec Commissioner in 1993. He served as a VYSA Boys and Girls State Team Coach for six years, and a Region I Girls ODP coach for 11 years. Kevin was named Virginia High School League Soccer Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1997 and NSCAA National HS Coach of the Year in 1997. He was awarded VYSA Coach of the Year in 1989. He entered the Virginia High School League Hall of Fame in 2009. Kevin is a US Soccer “A” licensed coach and holds an NSCAA Premier Diploma. He continues to coach Boys’ Varsity Soccer at First Colonial High School, is the Assistant Coach for Boys Varsity at Norfolk Academy and Assistant Coach with Beach FC Fury U-12 Advanced team. Kevin also serves as the NSCAA Boys Youth Advocacy Chair.

Derflinger began her soccer career when she coached a girl’s team in Lee-Mt. Vernon (1969). She teamed with Rael Vodicka in the early 1970’s to form the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS), where she served as treasurer. Derflinger was elected the President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) and was named the Region I Director for United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) by the mid-1970’s. She became the first female Board member of the US Soccer Federation (USSF) in the early 1980’s and in 1986 was elected Chairman of US Youth Soccer, which put her on the USSF Executive Committee. Derflinger fought tirelessly for funding for the US Women’s program and sees the US Women’s development as one of her proudest achievements. USSF voted her a “Life Member” in 1990. She received the Sporting Goods Manufacturers of America “National Heroes Award” in 1995 for her dedication to soccer in the local community. In 2004 Mavis was inducted into the CONCACAF Hall of Fame. In 2009 Mavis was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame and the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame in (its inaugral year).

Dolansky started her soccer work in 1974 as a coach for Fairfax Police Youth Club (FPYC), moving on to coach in the Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS) in 1976. She served as FPYC’s Vice President during this period. Dolansky was elected WAGS President in 1977 and served in that role until 1997. Her tenure with the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) included serving as Vice President from 1982-1985 and as President from 1985-1994. Dolansky became a Sub-Regional Director for US Youth Soccer (USYSA) in 1994 and served on the founding Board of US Soccer Foundation and as Secretary from 1994-1997. She served as Region I Champions Chair from 1985 to 2014 and as the US Youth Soccer Region I Administrator from 1997-2014. In 1998 Adele was awarded the first VYSA Volunteer of the Year award. Dolansky received USYSA’s Region I Female Volunteer Recipient Award in 1991 and was selected VYSA’s first “Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award” in 1996. Adele received an NSCAA Letter of Commendation in 1997 and was selected for NSCAA’s “Youth Long-Term Achievement Award” in 1998. In 2003 Adele received the NSCAA Women's Committee Award of Excellence. In 2009 she was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame (its Inaugural Year) and in 2011 was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame.

Denise has devoted more than twenty years to serving the soccer community at the local, state, regional, and national levels. She coached and has served as SEVYSA Administrator; area commissioner, parliamentarian, and president of Norfolk Youth Soccer League; Exeucitve Director of Virginia Rush (formerly Virginia Beach Soccer Club); administrator of the Virginia Soccer League, Inc., and VYSA Vice President and later VYSA President. On the regional and national levels Denise is a respected and sought-out state president. Her knowledge of the soccer business, construction business, and local government political processes, along with her perseverance, has allowed VYSA to break ground on the VYSA soccer complex. Denise's skills in organization, financial management, and leadership have been invaluable to youth soccer in Virginia and the District of Columbia.

Eddie Fath served soccer in Washington DC for 30 years until he passed away in 1985. He founded the Washington Internationals Soccer Club and Myron Corwell, organized Washington All-Star teams, and staged numerous “soccer events” for the Washington DC area. Fath used his position at the Washington Star and contact with the Baltimore papers to continually promote the game. Fath could rightfully be called “Mr. Soccer” in Washington DC during the period from the mid-1950’s through the mid-1970’s. Also a player, Fath’s strengths were in continually organizing and promoting the game in our area when it was still considered a “foreign sport”.

Jim Ferguson began his involvement in soccer more than 25 years ago when he was drafted as a substitute coach for his son’s rec team. He has been a team manager and a club rep to NCSL and the league’s Virginia Commissioner. Jim served on the VYSA Board of Directors, first as Boys North Travel Commissioner, and then as President from 1995-2000. He is past chairman of the US Youth Soccer Rules Committee and has been a member of the USSF Rules Committee. Jim co-founded the Washington Soccer Club in 1990 and is currently its president.

Ed has more than 25 years of experience at the local, state, and national levels of the game. He served as Vice President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association and President of Prince William Soccer, Inc. – a 3,000 player recreational and travel club in Northern VA. During his tenure at PWSI, heinitiated and led the “Let There Be Lights” campaign that resulted in Prince William County’s first lighted soccer fields. Ed also conducted an analysis of county user fees, which resulted in the county making significant investments in high-quality soccer fields at Tyrell, Chinn and Howison parks. In 2011, Foster-Simeon was awarded Community Leadership Award from the President’s Council on fitness, Sports and Nutrition (PCFSN) based in large part on his work at the grassroots level of the game. Ed has been an active member of the U.S Soccer Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2004 and a champion of soccer as a vehicle for youth development and social change. He was named President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation in May, 2008. Under his leadership the US Soccer Foundation has become a nationally recognized leader in sport-based youth development, placing a special emphasis on programs that improve health and social outcomes among children in underserved communities. The US Soccer Foundation’s work was recognized with the 2010 Steve Patterson Award for Excellence in Sports Philanthropy and has earned the prestigious Social Innovation Fund award in the Healthy Futures portfolio and a Justice Department Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Multi State Mentoring Award. During Foster-Simeon’s tenure, the US Soccer Foundation’s annual Urban Soccer Symposium has developed into the nation’s premier event where coaches, mentors and administrators learn and exchange best practices in the use of soccer as a vehicle for youth development.

Prior to becoming CEO of the US Soccer Foundation, Foster-Simeon served as Deputy Managing Editor at USA TODAY. He is an Executive Committee member on the Board of Directors of both the Campaign to End Obesity and the NAACP Foundation. Ed is a former member of the Board of US Soccer Hall of Fame and served on the USA Bid Committee for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. A US Navy Veteran, Foster Simeon holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Maryland University College. Ed is a native of Brooklyn, NY.

Margaret Gardner, known as “Mike” to everyone, started in soccer as a recreation coach with the Springfield Youth Club and later in 1979 became a WAGS Coach still coaching for the SYC. She served as the WAGS-Virginia Head Registrar from 1980-1992. She was the WAGS Tournament Co-Chair in the early years of the tournament and continued to volunteer at the WAGS Tournament for many more years. Mike served on the VYSA Board of Directors as the VYSA State Registrar from 1986 to 1991 dedicating many countless hours serving the VYSA Membership. In addition she served as the Girls ODP Co-Chair from 1991-1996. Mike’s passionate dedication, hard work and her love for the game of soccer greatly contributed to the success of all the programs in which she was involved.

Germain is one of the true pioneers in Virginia Soccer, called the “father of youth soccer in Northern Virginia”. Active in the sport for 38 years, he founded one of the first premier soccer clubs in the area, the Annandale Boys and Girls Club, and was instrumental in launching Montgomery Soccer (MSI), Sterling Youth Soccer, Lee-Mt. Vernon Soccer Association, National Capital Soccer League (NCSL) and Washington Area Girls Soccer League (WAGS). He also started Women’s College soccer in Virginia. Germain remains active as the Annandale club’s President. He worked with the Washington Darts in the early 1960’s to develop the club’s youth team, the “Junior Darts”, and founded soccer’s first apprenticeship program connecting youth soccer and Northern Virginia Community College. Germain developed numerous NCAA Division I and National Team players and was instrumental in enlisting top European coaches, such as Will Coerver, to develop our soccer programs

Steven Goff began writing about soccer for The WashingtonPost in the late 1980s and has covered DC United since the club’s beginning in 1996. He covered the first 17 MLS Cups and every World Cup since 1994 plus several Women's World Cups. His US Men's National Team coverage has included more than 100 matches, including dozens of World Cup Qualifiers. Steven’s career began with collegiate soccer, and he continues to follow local teams to the NCAA College Cup. Since 2007 he has written the “Soccer Insider” blog on the Washington Post website.

Roy Gordon was recently inducted into the University of Mary Washington Athletic Hall of Fame. He was the founder of the soccer program at Mary Washington, where he coached for 34 years. He had one of the best records in NCAA soccer history, winning 432 games and becoming only the eighth coach in NCAA Division III to reach the 400-win plateau. Roy led his teams to nine appearances in the NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament and was a six-time NSCAA Regional Coach of the Year, as well as a seven-time CAC Coach of the Year who led his team to eight CAC Championships. Roy became the 50th president of the NSCAA in 1998 and received the NSCAA Honor Award in 2009.

Sylvester Larimore Green, know to everyone as Larry Green, started his soccer service as a team manager with the Annandale Boys and Girls Club for his daughter Melanie's team, the 1969 Rebels. The team later moved to VISTA where he remained manager. He served as VYSA Treasurer from 1985-1990, devoting about 50 hours per month ensuring that no monies were wasted. Larry also served as the VYSA Insurance Committee Chair from 1988-1993, and was the VYSA Nominating Chair for the 1991 AGM. After leaving his position as VYSA Treasurer, he continued to serve VYSA as Treasurer of the 1991 US Youth Soccer National Challenge Cup Host Committee. In addition, Larry served as member of the US Youth Soccer National Budget Committee from 1989-2002 as a Region I representative.

Lauren was an All-American at the University of North Carolina and was the captain of the 1982 NCAA championship squad. She won a national title as assistant coach at UNC, and then joined the Harvard staff as an assistant coach. She was the women’s head coach at the University of Virginia from 1988through the 1995 seasons, earning a trip to the NCAA Final Four in 1991 and a total of seven consecutive NCAA tournament bids. She was named the NSCAA Coach of the Year in 1990, the only woman to receive that honor. Lauren became the first woman to serve as an assistant coach for the US Women’s National Team in 1989. Her teams won the 1991 FIFA Women’s WorldChampionship in China, the 1995 Women’s World Cup in Sweden, and the 1996 gold medal at the Olympics. Lauren then became head coach of the U21 US Women’s National Team which won the Nordic Cup in 1997 and 1999, and earned a silver medal in 1998. She is the author of The Champion Within, Training For Excellence and is currently the US State Department’s USSF SportsEnvoy to Nigeria.

April was the head coach of the U.S. Women‘s National Team from 2000 – 2005, the first woman to hold that position. In 2003, she led the USto a third-place finish in the Women’s World Cup, and the next year to a gold medal victory at the 2004 Olympics in Greece. April played four years at the University of North Carolina where she was named First-Team All-American three times. She then played professionally with the Italian Club team Prato. In 1991 she captained the US to the Women’s World Cup title. She served as head coach at Princeton, the University of Maryland, and the University of Virginia. April also was head coach of the U16 National Team for four years. Her honors include being named US Soccer’s Chevrolet Female Athlete of the Year in both 1986 and 1989 and Soccer America’s Female Player of the 1980s. April was the first female player inducted into the US Soccer Hall of Fame, and, in 2000, was named as the inaugural recipient of the NSCAA Women’s Committee Award of Excellence.

Dan has been involved with soccer since 1982, first as a volunteer coach for his children's teams and continuing on to work over 2,100 matches as a referee until his retirement in 2011. He became an instructor in 1986, and in 1999 was selected by USSF as Virginia's first National Referee Instructor. He has been a member of USSF's National Instructional Program Staff since 1996. Dan's work with USSF has focused on the development of referee training materials, including Advice to Referees on the Laws of the Game, The Laws of the Game Made Easy and Offside Made Easy. He has written more than two dozen articles as a contributing editor to Referee Magazine. Dan was Metro DC-Virginia's Assessor of the Year in 1993 and 2009, and Instructor of the Year in 2000 and 2014.In 2016 Dan awarded the Keith Bunting “Lifetime of Service” recognition by DCV.

Jay played his college soccer at Pennsylvania’s East Stroudsburg University. Over the next several years, he was the head coach at three colleges and assistant coach for two NASL teams. He then coached with the MISL’s New Jersey Rockets, Buffalo Stallions, and Cleveland Force. Jay assisted in the writing of Project Gold and Project 2010, the Women’s and Men’s Player Development Programs, along with US Soccer’s state and national coaching license materials. He coached the U17 (assistant) and U20 (assistant and head) Men’s National Teams. Jay was the head coach of both the 1999 Women’s Pan Am Gold Medal team and the 1999 Women’s World Cup Championship teams, and went on to become head coach for the Boston Breakers of the WUSA. Jay is currently the head coach of both the USL Division 1 Virginia Beach Mariners and the US Paralympics National Team. He is also the Director of Academy Coaching at the Virginia Rush Soccer Club, and has recently been named the Region I Boys ODP Program Head Coach as well as the VYSA Boys Coach of the Year.

Don’s soccer career began in the UK, where he played in school, while serving in the British Army, and on an amateur team. When he moved to Massachusetts, he began 20 years of officiating; after a move to Virginia he continued refereeing while starting administrative duties. Don was the State Referee Administrator for the Metro-D.C./Virginia Soccer Association for seven years, was the first State Referee Instructor, and was the first NASL Assessor. He was the President of the DC/NOVA Soccer Referees Unit for three years and was selected as the DC/NOVA “Man of the Year” in 1983. Don was a member and Chairman of the Region I Appeals Committee and was the Amateur delegate to the Metro D.C./Virginia State Referee Committee for many years.

Arlene coached many successful McLean WAGS teams in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was a pioneer in the early days of Title IX and was instrumental in helping to establish girls’ soccer as a high school varsity sport in Fairfax County. She was the head coach for 20 years at Langley High School, where her teams won seven District titles. Arlene was a positive role model and a mentor for hundreds of young players, many of whom went on to play at the collegiate level; four have had very successful careers and have been inducted into the Virginia-DC Soccer Hall of Fame.

Dave grew up watching the NASL’s Washington Diplomats, hoping to one day become a sports broadcaster. In 1996 he became the television play-by-play voice of DC United. He has done play-by-play for outdoor and indoor soccer on the Fox Soccer Channel and ESPN, including five NCAA Championship games. He also broadcast World Cup 2006 in Germany on XM Satellite Radio. He served as host of a weekly television show for four years on Home Team Sports (now Comcast SportsNet). Dave is also the Sports Director and morning sports anchor on WTOP radio, where he has been recognized three times as Best Radio Sportscaster in Washington. He has also been the radio play-by-play announcer of the NBA’s Washington Wizards for the past 12 years.

Peter was born in England and played local and semi-pro soccer in Leeds. He started coaching in 1960, then moved to the United States in 1968.

Peter coached youth soccer teams in Maryland and northern Virginia from 1969 to 2002, and has coached high school soccer from 1970 to the present, for a total of 54seasons. Peter’s club teams won more than 30 state championships, nine teams went to Regionals and, in 1984 and 1992, his teams won National Championships. His high school teams won four Metro Washington championships, five Virginia State Catholic Championships, and several tournament championships. Peter won National Youth Coach of the Year honors in 1984 and was inducted into the De Matha High School Hall of Fame in 2001. Peter was also the first National referee from Virginia, is past president of the NorthernVirginia High School Soccer Coaches Association, and began the Soccer Start program in Washington, DC.

Dave has a vast array of soccer experience as a player, coach, and front office executive. He was a standout forward for Men’s Soccer at the University of Maryland earning All-ACC honors while also playing as a member of the U20 US Soccer Men’s National team. Dave played professionally for the Milwaukee Wave (1989-1990) and the Pittsburgh Stingers (1990-1994) then transitioned into Duquesne University’s first-ever Men’s Soccer coach in 1994. Dave was later hired as the first Vice President and General Manager of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, leading them to the playoffs and to Organization of the Year honors the following year. He joined DC United in 2002 as Technical Director and was named the club’s General Manager in 2007 and in 2014 was named Vice President of Soccer Operations in addition to his role as General Manager. During Kasper’s 15-year tenure, DC United has won five major trophies: the 2004 MLS Cup, the 2006 and 2007 MLS Supporters’ Shields, and two Lamar Hunt US Open Cups (2008 and 2013). Kasper has guided United to nine playoff appearances, including three as the first-place team in the Eastern Conference. Dave works closely with the coaching staff in identifying and signing talent, developing draft strategy, and overseeing the direction of the club’s youth development, including the D.C. United Academy and camp program.

John Kerr began his career in the United States in 1968 with the NASL’s Detroit Cougars. That same year he also captained the Canadian National
Team in the World Cup Elimination Tournament. For the next several years he played with the ASL Washington Darts and coached at Georgetown University and American University. John next played with the HOTA Club of the German American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos, Club America of the Mexican First Division, and then back to the Cosmos. He was named #10 on Soccer America’s 20 Men of Influence in Soccer in 1981. His Montgomery United team won the U16 North American Championship in 1981. He also coached the Fairfax Spartans to the National Amateur Championships in 1986. In 1997, John organized the first Soccer Players Association and the first Players Association in the Major Indoor Soccer League, and negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements, including freedom of contract for the players, in both of those agreements.

Karen Knott (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010Karen first became involved with youth soccer when her two sons began travel soccer in 1985. She spent many years as team manager, Beach FC Soccer Club board member, and Director of the Virginia Beach Columbus Day Tournament. In 1991 she became one of the initial Board members of the Hampton RoadsSoccer Council and was named the Executive Director of the Council in 1994. She helped raise $1.5 million over two years, and the 19-field Soccer Complex was opened in 1997. Karen was a member of the VYSA Board of Directors from 1991-1994 and the co-chair of the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in 2005 and 2006. She has been the tournament director for State Cup and Border Cup games, as well as State ODP tryouts, held in Virginia Beach and Norfolk. Karen has been a VYSA Workshop volunteer for 21 years and was the winner of the Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award in 2007

After graduation from Law School and during a career in both public service and the private sector, Koskinen coached youth soccer for ten years, and was named the 1989 Women’s Coach of the Year in Maryland. He was a founder of the American Soccer League, and the owner of the Washington Stars and later the Maryland Bays. Koskinen was elected as one of the nine original directors of the US Soccer Foundation in 1994. He was the chair of Soccer “94 DC Region and was responsible for bringing the ‘94 World Cup Games and the “96 Olympic Soccer Games to Washington. He served for four years, from 2004-2008, as President of the US Soccer Foundation and also served as a member of the Rules Committee of the US Soccer Federation as well a member of the Advisory Committee to the President.

Ken Krieger (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2010
Ken’s accomplishments in soccer include four State Championships as coach of C. D. Hylton High School, two NSCAA Division I High School National Championships, and two US Youth Soccer Regional Championships. He has the most wins by a VHSL Boys Soccer Coach, with an overall record of 386-191-37. Ken served as head coach at Harford Community College from 1977-78, and as assistant coach at American University from 1984-87, where the team was a National Finalist in 1985, and at George Mason University from 1987-88. Ken has also worked with the DC United and Washington Freedom youth programs, where he led his teams to two Final Four appearances and to a National Championship. He has served on the VYSA ODP and US Youth Soccer Region I staffs. Ken has served as the Technical Director of Player & Coach Development at Prince William Soccer, Inc. and with McLean Youth Soccer.

Bob played and coached youth osccer, became a USSF certified referee in 1979, a USSF National Referee in 1992, a State Assessor in 1993, and a State Instructor in 1986. He served as State Referee Administrator, State Director of Referee Instruction, and Local Area coordinator for Professional Referee Assignments for many years. While a National referee, he officiated very high level matches in Virginia and the District of Columbia. As the SRA, Bob maintained the database, processed all referee applications, and handled all the finances of the referee program. As a result of his leadership and mentoring of younger referees, Virginia had its first referee on the FIFA panel and ten new National referees in the two years immediately following his tenure as SRA.

Hank is the Head Coach of the Northern Virginia Majestics and is a member of the VYSA Coaching Education Staff. He was the Head Women’s Soccer Coach at George Mason University for ten years, the U.S. National Women’s Team Assistant Coach for five years, and the U.S. Youth National Women’s Team Head Coach for four years. Hank has also been the VYSA Director of Coaching, a U.S. Soccer staff coach, and the
EPYSA Director of Coaching. He was a member of the U.S. Youth Soccer Region I Staff for many years. Hank was named National Coach of the Year by the U.S. Youth Soccer Association in 1982, by the NCAA in 1985, and by the W-League in 2000.

Earl is a US Soccer “A” licensed coach, was an instructor with the Virginia Metro-DC Coaching Education Program, and a State and Region I ODP staff coach. He played on his college and the Jamaican U19 National teams and was a player and coach with United States Marine Corps teams. He coached boys’ and girls’ Virginia Division I teams which were State Cup Champions and Finalists, and developed many successful collegiate, national and professional players. In 1993 Earl was selected as the VYSA Boys’ Coach of the Year, US Youth Soccer Region I Boys’ Coach of the Year, and US Youth Soccer Boys’ Coach of the Year.

Scott was a USSF Referee from 1990 – 2008. He was the State Referee Administrator for 10 years, during which time he opened the State Referee Office and hired a Referee Program Administrator. He introduced the Center Circle, a referee website, and an on-line registration system. Under his leadership the number of USSF certified referees increased from 2,500 to 7,000. Scott wrote many articles that were published in Referee magazine. He was recognized by US Soccer for his accomplishments during his tenure and was awarded the Keith Bunting Memorial Award for Lifetime of Service in 2009.

Larry became actively involved with soccer in 1970 when he assisted in establishing Soccer on the Hill, the first Washington DC youth soccer league. Monaco subsequently became a US Soccer Federation (USSF) referee and received the USSF “D” Coaching license. From 1984-1997, Monaco served on VYSA’s Board of Directors, including stints as Vice President and Secretary. Nationally, Monaco has served on US Youth Soccer Association and US Soccer Federation Appeals and Rules Committees, chairing the latter. From 1994-1998, Monaco served as US Soccer Federation Executive Vice President and on the US Soccer Federation’s Board of Directors. He was elected and served as Vice President of US Youth Soccer from 1999-2001. In 2005, Larry was awarded the first NSCAA National Youth Recreational Coach of the Year for youth female players. Larry was also elected and served as President of US Youth Soccer from 2006-2010. He is the immediate past President of US Youth Soccer and is the Co-Chair of its National League Committee. In 2009 Larry was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Region I Hall of Fame and was inducted into the US Youth Soccer Hall of Fame in 2012.

Alkis was born in Greece and was an international soccer player with Aris F.C. Thessaloniki, Greece. In 1958 he was named “Most Valuable Player”. He became the head coach of the Hellenic Soccer Team of New York, and then head coach of the Greek American Soccer Team of New York, which was the USA Champion for three years. In 1983, after several years of coaching Greek teams, Alkis coached the NASL’s Team America, which was based in Washington, DC. The following year, he coached the United States team in the Olympics and, in 1995, at the World Cup qualifiers. He returned to Olympiakos, which won two more Greek Championships, and then to Aris, Thessaloniki. In 1992 Alkis was named head coach of the National Team of Greece, which participated in the 1994 World Cup. He currently is a FIFA Instructor on the Technical Committee.

Kevin Payne was the National Administrator for the US Soccer Federation in 1989, then became the Deputy Executive Director and Director of Marketing for the Federation. In 1991 he became Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Soccer, USA Partners, and, two years later, its president. Kevin helped to form a charter group of investors for the creation of Major League Soccer, and also put together the original investment group for DC United, serving as President and General Manager of the team until 2001. He then joined AEG as Senior Vice President and Managing Director, overseeing six MLS teams. He returned to DC United in 2004 as President and CEO. Kevin currently sits on the MLS Board of Governors, the US Soccer Federation’s Board of Directors, the US Soccer Foundation’s Board, and the DC United Board.

Bob’s soccer career began in 1982 when he coached a youth team; the following year he began a 13-year span as President of Winchester Soccer Club. He was also an NCSL representative, secretary, and vice president. Bob began refereeing in 1978 and is currently the State Referee Emeritus. He became an Assessor in 1983 and is now a National Assessor Emeritus, and became an Instructor in 1982 and is currently a State Instructor. He has been active in referee programs in Regions I, III, and IV. Bob was a USSF National Assessor for 19 years and served as the National Director of Assessment for the US Soccer Federation from 1994-1995. He was the Referee liaison for both the 1994 World Cup and the 1996 Olympics.

Tony, a native of England who has lived in the DC area for decades, began shooting photographs of the Washington Diplomats in the 1970’s. He is one of the most accomplished soccer photographers in America, having captured wonderful images of the sport at every level, including three Men’s World Cups, three Women’s World Cups, three Olympics, several College Cups, CONCACAF Gold Cups, and World Cup qualifiers in the Caribbean and Central America. Tony’s clients include DC United, FIFA, and Soccer America.

Carolyn holds the US Soccer “A” license and the NSCAA National Diploma. She coached several VA-DC Hall of Fame players, including Jill Ellis. She was the girls’ head coach at Lake Braddock High School for nine years, winning several District, Regional, and State Championships. She also coached the Braddock Road Cyclones, who were 1988 Region I Champions and National Runners-Up. That year she was selected as one of the Washington Post’s All-Metropolitan Coaches of the Year. Carolyn was one of the first females on the VYSA Coaching Education Staff and was a Region I ODP Staff coach for many years.

Chip first kicked a soccer ball while at the University of Richmond. He went on to play senior amateur soccer for 20 years. He started soccer programs at three high schools and was the varsity boys’ head coach for 35 years. His teams won numerous District and Regional championships and went to State finals. He was named Virginia Small School Coach of the Year four times, Regional Coach of the Year twice, and was nominated for National Coach of the Year three times. Chip was co-founder of two of the first soccer camps in northern Virginia, and continues today as director of the Chip Rohr Soccer Camp. His proudest achievement is being the longest-serving member of the VYSA Coaching Education Staff, with 29 years of service. He has taught hundreds of coaches who have continued on to the youth, high school, college, and professional levels.

Jeff is a long-time, dedicated member of the soccer community who has served in many different capacities. He coached his son’s team from its inception through college. He was R&D Chairman of the National Capital Soccer League for a year and then was elected president, a position he held for twelve years. Jeff was a long-time member of the VYSA Board, first as Boys North Travel Commissioner and later as Treasurer. He also served as Soccer Start Chair for US Youth Soccer. In addition, he was a certified referee for over 24 years. Jeff’s knowledge and experience greatly strengthened soccer in northern Virginia. He is now involved as a proud grandparent, watching his granddaughters play.

Bob was an NSCAA All-American at Broome Community College. After entering the Navy in 1963, he was stationed in Turkey where he played and coached on a base team and played and trained with a local village team. He moved and founded the Virginia Beach Soccer Club in 1977. For many years Bob worked with recreational, travel, junior high and high school teams, winning many league and tournament championships. He also coached U14 Girls at the State level for six years. In 1985, Bob’s ’72 Fury won State Cup, he was co-chair of the All-Navy team, and he was selected as the VYSA Boys Coach of the Year. Bob has served on the Boards and as President of Virginia Beach Soccer Club, Beach FC, Southeastern Virginia Soccer League, and the Southeastern Virginia Soccer Referees Association. Beach FC has honored him by issuing annual scholarships in his name to a graduating boy and girl.

Keith was a three-year letter winner at American University. He was a repeating all-star in the Capitol Soccer League, and also served as the League’s president for several years. Keith was Georgetown University’s head coach for 22 years, where he finished with 220 wins, making him Georgetown’s all-time winningest coach. Keith was twice named Big East Coach of the Year, and in 1997 was named the USASA National Coach of the Year as he coached the Sports Festival East team to a gold medal. He served three years as US National Amateur Team (US “B” Team) Head Coach. He was the Assistant National Coach for Bermuda for the 2010 World Cup Qualifying. He is currently the Region 1 ODP Head Coach, works as a TV analyst and is a National Instructor with US Soccer Coaching Education. Keith is a director with the Elite 300 Soccer
Academy.

Anne Thompson (Meritorious Service) – Inducted 2013Anne Thompson began her soccer career as a coach in the late 1970’s. Following many years of successful coaching she was in charge of the Opening Ceremonies at the 1990 US Youth Soccer National Championships in Virginia and was the co-commissioner of the Friendship League from 1991-1994. Anne has served on the VYSA Board of Directors, first as North Recreational Commissioner and then as North Travel Commissioner, for almost 20 years, and has been a member of the VYSA Workshop and Budget Committees. Anne has been the State Cup Director since 1992 and the Presidents Cup Director since its beginning in 2009.

One of the true pioneers of Virginia soccer, Towner founded the Potomac Kiwanis Soccer Club in 1969, and has served since then as its Treasurer. He has also been a coach and club manager. In 1970, he helped to found the Arlington Soccer Association, serving as an officer and continuing Board member. Towner was elected President of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA) in 1982, serving until 1985. VYSA membership grew from 6,000 to 31,000 during this period. Towner also established the VYSA Newsletter. Towner has served as US Youth Soccer (USYSA) Sub Regional Director, USYSA Regional Director, and on the US Soccer Federation (USSF) Board of Directors. He has held numerous committee chairmanships with both USYSA and USSF, and wrote a weekly soccer column for the Northern Virginia Sun. Towner’s honors include Arlington Interservice Club Council’s “Man of the Year” for youth soccer development (1970), the Virginia Parks and Recreation Society’s award for “Outstanding Support and Achievement for Volunteer Services” (1973) and selection by Better Sports Club as the Arlington “Sportsman of the Year” (1989).

Mac’s service to the game of soccer took the form of founding Soccer Camps, refereeing, and coaching education. In 1976 he founded the Manassas Soccer Camp at the Northern Virginia Community College Manassas campus, in 1978 he co-founded the Linton Hall Soccer Camp, which continues today as Chip Rohr’s Soccer Camp, and in 1983 he founded the Fauquier Soccer camp. Mac served as administrator at all three camps. He became certified as a referee in 1970 and worked in the NASL and ASL, as well as senior amateur matches. He was an active referee and instructor, and helped to develop the referee assessment program. He also hosted VYSA Coaching Education courses at
NVCC Manassas for many years.

Rael was born in Missouri, moved to northern Virginia in 1971, and quickly became involved with her children’s soccer activities as the Girls’ League Coordinator with the Annandale Boy’s Club. Rael realized the need for expansion that would allow the opportunity for girls to develop both their soccer skills and their friendships. She contacted seven area clubs that had girls’ soccer and began to organize the Washington Area Girls Soccer League. Rael was the first president of WAGSL. She stepped down after a successful first year to become the first vice president of the Metropolitan DC-Virginia Soccer Association. She served the following year as WAGSL president again. One of her dreams for the league was the hosting of an all-girls’ tournament, and the WAGS Tournament was begun in 1975. In addition to her achievements with WAGSL, Rael was an activist who worked to have girls’ soccer recognized as a high school varsity sport in Northern Virginia.

Clyde played in college and professionally for many years before transitioning to coaching. He served as Assistant Coach of the Washington Warthogs, Coach at the University of the District of Columbia, and Assistant Coach of the WPS’s Washington Freedom. He led his teams to 13 US Youth Soccer Virginia State Cups, three US Youth Soccer Region I Championships, one US Youth Soccer National Finalist title, and one US Youth Soccer National Championship title. Clyde was named NSCAA 2007 Youth Girls National Coach of the Year, Virginia Youth Soccer 2011 Girls Competitive Coach of the Year, and US Youth Soccer 2011 Region I Girls Competitive Coach of the Year. He holds a USSF “B” Licensen and a National Youth License.

Watson began his soccer activities in the late 1960’s with the Annandale Boys Club where he helped to organize the club’s first Girls League. In 1970 he was elected Junior Commissioner for the National Soccer League of Washington. Two years later he became active in the newly-formed Metropolitan D. C. – Virginia Soccer Association State Youth Cups, and has served as president since 1975. Watson has served for over ten years as chairperson of the Select Team Committee of the United States Amateur Soccer Association. He was the Secretary and Deputy Director of USASA Region I and became Director in 1990. He has represented the USASA Region I on the USSF National Board of Directors for over 11 years.

Dave had a successful soccer career as a player at West Virginia’s Bethany College. After moving to northern Virginia, he began his coaching career at Annandale High School, where he volunteered as coach for the boys and girls varsity and junior varsity teams. He accepted no money for his services, as he felt it was his duty to give back to the community. At the same time, he coached with the Annandale Boys and Girls Club and Bethany Soccer Camps, and was also a Region I Girls ODP Goalkeeping Coach. For the last five years of his life, he served as the VYSA TOPSoccer chair, setting up TOPSoccer programs and conducting clinics for children with special needs. His passion for making soccer “a game for all kids” greatly increased the number of players and buddies who participated in and benefitted from TOPSoccer. Accepting Dave’s award are his fiancée, Lynn McCoy, and his daughter, Casey Baker.

Player Bios

Kevin grew up in Virginia Beach, playing with Beach FC, VA ODP, Region 1 ODP, and the U17 US National Team. He was the starting left back for the US in the 1995 U17 World Championships in Ecuador. Kevin earned First Team All-State as he captained the Kempsville High School team his senior year to a Virginia State Championship, with the team being ranked the NSCAA #1 high school team in the nation. He played collegiate soccer at The College of William and Mary where he was a First Team Academic All-American, and earned All CAA, All South, and CAA Defender of the Year. He holds the title of 2nd highest assists in a season at the college. He graduated Summa Cum Laude and earned the USRY Award for the highest senior athlete GPA at William and Mary. He was drafted in 2001 by A League Indiana Blast and played one year before returning to Virginia Beach and playing for the Hampton Roads Mariners for 5 years. Kevin retired as a player in 2006, and transitioned into a role as a Director of Coaching with Beach FC.

In high school Clint, was named as a Parade All-American in 1991. During his college career he was an All-ACC Team member in 92 and 94 and was an NCAA All-American in 1992. He played at the University of Virginia from 1991 to 1995 and that team advanced NCAA Champions and ACC tournament champions all four years and was named the Soccer America All-Decade Team. Clint played on the US Olympic Men’s Soccer Team in 1996 and later played professionally for the Maryland Mania and Charleston Battery in 1998. Clint played for the 3 time MLS Champion, DC United from 1996 through 1998. He served as Assistant Coach at the collegiate level at Georgetown University in 2003, Davidson College from 2004-2007 and George Mason University from 2008-2009. He later served as Head Coach at the University of Richmond from 2009-2012. At the National Level he served as Assistant Coach for the U17 USMNT, Head Coach for the U14 Boys National Team and the Technical Advisor for US Soccer in the South Atlantic Region. Clint is currently serving as US Soccer's U14 Boys National Team Head Coach.

Brandon played his youth soccer with the Richmond Strikers that became State Cup Champions and competed in Regionals in Niagara Falls. He later played with the Prince William Spartans. He was selected for VYSA ODP and Region I ODP in 1989, 1990, and 1991. In High School, Brandon was a four-time All Colonial District and All State Soccer player named Parade Magazine All-American as a senior. Brandon attended the University of Virginia. While at UVA, he was a member of the 1992, 1993, and 1994 NCAA Championship team. He was selected All-American in 1993, 1994 and 1995. During his collegiate career, he was also selected for various US Youth Soccer National Teams. In 1993, he was a member of the World University Games soccer teams. That same year he also started in all four games at the U20 World Cup. In 1995, Brandon was a member of the US team at the Pan American Games and in 1996, he was selected for the US Soccer U23 team participating in the Olympics. In 1996, Brandon was selected to the Dallas Burn. He continued to play with the Burn until he was injured in 2000. He retired from playing professionally in 2001 and found his next passion dedicating his time to helping bees make honey “Going inside a beehive is much like participating in and witnessing The Beautiful Game.”

Katie played her youth soccer for FC Richmond. She was selected annually from U14 through U19 for Region I ODP . Katie played on the U16 and U19 National Teams and was a Parade First Team All-American. Katie was twice named to the NSCAA Youth All American Team. She attended the University of Virginia where she was a four year starter from 1997-2000. Katie was named team MVP two seasons, was a two time co-captain, received the Unsung Hero Award and was a three time member of the ACC All-Academic team. In addition to soccer, Katie played basketball in High School and all four years at UVA and was a co-captain her senior season. In 2001 Katie was selected as the 5th overall pick in the WUSA draft by the New York Power where she played professionally for 2 seasons.

Jeff attended the University of Virginia where he appeared in 88 matches, scored 17 goals, and was the only four-time All-American in Cavalier history. He was named Soccer America’s co-freshman of the year in 1986, and the ACC’s Most Valuable Player in 1998. He led the Cavaliers to the NCAA Championship in 1989 and finished second in voting for the Hermann Trophy that year. Jeff was a member of US National Teams, including the U15, U17, U20, Olympic, World University, and Futsal Teams, as well as the 1998 and 2002 World Cup squads. In 1995 he returned to the University of Virginia to serve as assistant coach with Bruce Arena. Jeff has been a part of five MLS Cup championship teams, including DC United in 1996, 1997, and 1999. After retiring as a player after the 2005 season, Jeff became the Sporting Director for the New York Red Bulls and also served on the board of DC Scores. In 2011 Jeff moved to MLS and is currently the Vice President of Competition.

Raul was an original member of DC United and one of the most prolific scorers in the club’s history. He helped United capture two MLS Cup trophies, a US Open Cup Championship, and the Supporters’ Shield trophy. Raul is the club’s second all-time leading goal scorer with 44 goals in 68 games, and was the first player in MSL history to score a hat trick in post-season play, in game one of the 1996 Eastern Conference finals against Tampa Bay. That season he was DC United’s top goal scorer with 23 goals. He played six seasons in the MLS, three with United. Raul was inducted into DC United’s Hall of Tradition in September, 2009.

Sonny grew up in Baltimore and attended Essex Community College, where he was named NJCAA All-American in 1976. He joined the Washington Diplomats of the NASL the following year, and in 1979 he was a member of the North America Team which consisted of the eleven best players in the U.S. and Canada. He went on to play with the Montreal Manic, Tampa Bay Rowdies, and Team America. Sonny then played with the Washington Stars of the ASL, where he was named to the ASL All-Star team in 1988. He also spent one year with the MISL. In addition, he played with the US National Team from 1979-1984 where he earned four caps. He then coached at his alma mater and was named Region XX Coach of the Year in 1991. Sonny was inducted into the National Junior College Athletic Association Men’s Soccer Hall of Fame in 2005.

Wade played soccer at the College of William and Mary, where he was an NSCAA All-American in his senior season. After college he was drafted by the then-San Jose Clash where he spent five years, scored five goals, and had 22 assists. In 2002 he signed with the Danish club AGF Aarhus and two years later joined Fredrikstad FK in Norway. Wade re-signed with San Jose in 2005 and won the MLS Supporter's Shield in his first seasonback. The team moved to Houston in 2006 where he captained the Dyunamo team to the MLS Cup Championship in its first two seasons. He also earned two caps for the US National Team. Wade retired in 2010 and transitioned into an assistant coaching role with the Dynamo.

Baughman-Cornell is a graduate of Fairfax High School, where she was All-Met. She was four-time All-American with the University of Central Florida and then at George Mason University as a member of George Mason’s NCAA National Championship team in 1985. Pam was also named NSCAA Hermann Female Player of the Year and she was a member of the first US Women’s National Team (1984-1986). Baughman-Cornell continued in soccer, winning the US Soccer Open Cup Championships in 1986 and then the Over-30 National Cup Championships in 1993, 1995, and 1996. She has coached in both high school and college and now coaches in the Front Royal-Warren County Youth Soccer League.

Gordon Bradley grew up in northern and signed his first professional contract at the age of 16. He became an All-Star midfielder with Toronto City in the Eastern Canadian Professional League in 1963; four years later he came to the as a player and then a coach for the New York Generals. Under Gordon’s guidance, the Cosmos (formerly the Generals) won the North American Soccer League crown in 1972 and 1977. He next became vice president and coach of the NASL’s Washington Diplomats, vice president for the national squad Team, and general manager of the

ASL’s Washington Stars. Gordon then spent 16 years as the head coach at George Mason University, compiling a 183-113-35 record and guiding the Patriots to three Colonial Athletic Association championships in 1985, 1986, and 1989, and to six NCAA appearances. Gordon’s greatest “claim to fame” is that he is the only person to have coached the international icons Pele, Franz Beckenbauer, and Johan Cruyff.

Mike is beginning his fifth season as head coach at American University after leading the Eagles to their most successful season ever. He is a native of Coventry, England, and graduated from American University in 1992, after leading the AU men’s soccer team to the NCAA Championship final. In 1985 he was named NCAA Men’s Player of the Year by Soccer America, received the Adi Dassler Award from Adidas as the top collegiate player of the year, and was named Player of the Year in three different conferences. Mike finished his collegiate career with AU records of 65 goals and 29 assists. He was also a member of the US National Team from 1984-86. He then played for the Baltimore Blast and several other professional US soccer teams. Mike was the head coach at The Potomac School in McLean for four years, and then served as director of the Premier Soccer Association for three years. He was inducted into American University’s Athletics Hall of Fame in 1997.

Kim played for the Reston Rowdies and VYSA ODP, and won State honors while playing at South Lakes High School. In 1985 she was a member of the NCAA Championship team at George Mason University; the following year she was selected as the first African-American woman on the US Women’s National Team. She was an extraordinary defender who played in the first Women’s Olympic Festivals, National Cups, the W-League, at the amateur, collegiate, and professional levels, and internationally. Kim still plays and coaches, and uses soccer in her work with a community outreach program in Wilmington, NC.

While in high school, Amanda led her team to a State Championship and earned NSCAA All-America honors. At the University of Virginia, Amanda was selected for two All-America and four All-Atlantic Coast Conference awards, captained the squad to the 1991 NCAA Final Four, and was a finalist for the Herman Trophy. After college, she was a member of the US team that took third at the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup and was an alternate on the 1996 gold- medal winning Olympic team. She then played for the Washington Freedom, Atlanta Beat, and San Jose CyberRays. Amanda has also worked with the Women’s National Team, NCAA Soccer Rules Committee, US Soccer Board of Directors, and Presidential Council on Physical Fitness and Sports. Amanda is currently the head coach of the UCLA Bruins. Eight months after being hired she led the team to the program's first-ever NCAA Championship. The Bruins have won two Pac-12 titles in a row, as well as an impressive record of 43-2-5. Amanda came to UCLA after 14 years as head coach for the the University of Southern Florida where her teams had a 203-83-26 record and made eleven NCAA Tournament appearances, four Atlantic Sun Tournament Championships, and four C-USA regular-season titles.

Julie Cunningham Shackford played with the Braddock Road Bluebelles, then went on to be a three-time All-American at the College of William and Mary and a three-time member of the US Olympic Festival team. She was head coach at Carnegie Mellon University for four seasons, where she built the women’s soccer program from scratch. For the last 16 years Julie has been head women’s soccer coach at Princeton. Her team has made one NCAA College Cup semifinal appearance and earned seven NCAA Tournament bids. She is the winningest coach in the school’s history. In 2004 Julie became just the fourth woman to be named National Coach of the Year. She has coached the U20 and U21 National Teams, and currently works with the Region I Olympic Development Program at the state and regional levels.

Durkin, a native of Ireland, was a goalkeeper on both the Irish Youth and Senior teams. Actually, he played against the USA team in 1952, the same USA Team that beat England in the World Cup in 1950. Walter started playing in the Washington DC area in 1958 both as a goalie and a center forward with Myron Cowell (League Champions), Maggies (Rowland Cup 1960 and Stewart Cup 1961), Washington Internationals, Central Valet, and the British Lions. Durkan regularly played with the Washington All-Stars against foreign touring teams and teams from Baltimore and Philadelphia. Later, he went on to an outstanding career, in excess of thirty years, as a referee (13 years with the North American Socccer League (NASL)). Walter also helped to bring the Referee Assessment Program to this area. He was available when Annandale first started their youth program in Northern Virginia. Walter also coaches youth teams, individual goalies, and has been a spokesperson for soccer in the Washington Metropolitan area. For information more:http://irishleaguegreats.blogspot.com/2009/10/walter-durkan.html

Jill played with the Braddock Road Bluebelles, which won the first ever U19 US Youth Soccer National Championship. Her high school team was Virginia State Champion in 1984. She was an All-America selection at the College of William and Mary. As head coach, Jill guided UCLA to eight College Cup appearances and five Pac10 Conference championships, and was awarded the National Coach of the Year award in 2002. She coached the U20 and U21 Women’s National Teams and the Olympic gold-medal winning US Women’s National team. Jill is currently the Director of Development for US Soccer, where she oversees the Youth National Team program and the US Youth Scouting Network, and coaches the U17 Women’s National Team.

Marco Etcheverry (Player) - Inducted 2008 Marco Etcheverry played professionally with Bolivia, Spain, Chile, Colombia, and Ecuador. While a member of the Bolivian National Team he played in 71 matches and scored 13 goals, and played for Bolivia in the 1994 World Cup. He joined DC United in its inaugural season in 1996 and went on to become a seven-time MLS All-Star. In 1996 he was the MLS Cup MVP and in 1998, the MLS Most Valuable Player. Marco was named to the League’s Best XI squad for four consecutive seasons, from 1996-1999. In 2002 he earned MVP honors at the Pepsi All-Star Game, and, in 2005, was named to the League’s All-Time Best XI. He ranks fourth in MLS’s all-time assists, and second in all-time games
played, games started, minutes played, shots, shots on goal, and game-winning goals. In 2006, “El Diablo” was awarded the Medal of Merit by the Bolivian Congress and his name became only the second on the “DC United Tradition of Excellence” sign at RFK Stadium.

Gary grew up in Virginia, playing at Mt. Vernon High School and on the Annandale Boys Club team that won the U19 McGuire Cup in 1976. He played professionally for 13 years and was named the NASL Rookie of the Year in 1978 while playing with the New York Cosmos. He also played for the LA Aztecs, San Jose Earthquakes, NY Arrows, Minnesota Strikers, and San Diego Sockers. Gary made nine appearances with the Men’s National Team from 1977-1979. He is now working with UMBRO USA. He married his high school sweetheart in 1981. His daughter works for Eurosport and his son played for four years at Notre Dame and is now trying out for professional teams in the United Kingdom.

Wendy played her club soccer with WAGS. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1989 as a three-time National Champion and three-time All-American, and was also on the ACC-Academic Honor Roll. She played for the US National Team from 1987-1991 and won the World Championship in 1991. She then worked for adidas and was the representative for the UNC Women’s Soccer Program. Wendy was co-captain of the two-time National Championship W-League Raleigh Wings from 1998-2000. She was the color commentator for collegiate women’s soccer on Fox Sports Network for five years and the lead analyst for ESPN’s coverage of the US Women’s National Soccer team, including the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cup, for seven years.

Ann was an original player with the McLean Grasshoppers team that competed in the inaugural season of WAGSL and went on to win 10 consecutive tournaments, including the Robbie, WAGS, and the Gothia Cup, in which she was named the tournament MVP. She was a three-year captain, MVP, and ALL-Met player in high school, where she was named the school’s Outstanding Female Athlete. As the University of Virginia had no varsity soccer team, Ann accepted a field hockey scholarship. She was selected to the first US Women’s National Soccer Team in 1984 and represented the country in the first international competitions in 1985 and 1986. As an adult, she won national championships in the 1986 Open Cup, three Over 30 Cups, and the 2006 Over 40 Cup. Ann has coached in WAGS for more than 25 years and is a member of the VYSA ODP and Academy coaching staffs.

Kip played soccer in high school, on the USA National Youth Team, on the first Virginia team to win the National U-19 McGuire Cup Championship, and at The College of William and Mary, where he was the all-time leading scorer and the Southern Conference Player of the Year. He played professional soccer with the Washington Diplomats and Atlanta Chiefs of the NASL. Kip coached four State Cup Championship teams and coached both the Men’s and Women’s State Select teams, which won the Region eight times. He was the first East women’s coach at the US Olympic Festival and coached Region I at the US Soccer Festival. He has coached his teams to three National O-30 Championships and one O-40 National second-place finish. Kip’s current team, the Annandale Fire, finished third in the 2002 National O-40 Veteran’s Cup.

Suzy is a native Virginian whose club teams won the Robbie Tournament in Canada and the Gothia Cup in Sweden. She was named All-District and All-Met at Langley High School. Suzy won a scholarship to UNC, where she helped lead her team to its first four women’s National Collegiate Soccer Championships. She was named to the All-NCAA Tournament team in 1983, was the most valuable player in 1984, and was a first team All-American in 1983 and 1984. Prior to being named to the US Women’s National Team in 1986, she was a member of the Virginia State ODP team that won the Region I tournament and also a member of the East team in the Olympic Festival. She then played with several Virginia adult teams, including the Women’s Amateur National Championship team in 1986 and the Annandale TBA Over-30 Team, which won the national championship in 1995. Suzy has been coaching a U15 WAGS team since 1999.

Mia played high school and club soccer in northern Virginia and at age 15 became the youngest player ever to join the US National Team. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she led her team to four NCAA Women’s championships. She was an All-American and Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year for three years, and the ACC Female Athlete of the Year in 1993 and 1994. In 1991, at age 19, Mia became the youngest American woman to win a World Cup Championship. She went on to lead Team USA to gold at the 1996 Olympics, to silver at the 2000 Olympics, and on to another gold at the 2004 Olympics. Mia retired that year from international play with 158 career goals, more than any other player in the history of the sport. She played with the Washington Freedom from 2001-2003. In 2007, in her first year of eligibility, Mia was selected for induction into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

Cindi Kunihiro Harkes played with the Braddock Road Youth Club from U8-U19. Her team was the State Cup champ for four of those years, including the year she was 14 and played on the U16 team. She was a member of the State and Regional U14, U16, and U19 ODP teams. She was a four year Varsity starter at W. T. Woodson High School, made All-Met the last three years, and was named Woodson “Athlete of the Year” in her senior year. Cindi was a four-year Varsity starter at the University of Virginia where she make the All-ACC team for three years while also being All-ACC/Academic. She played overseas with Sheffield Wednesday Ladies and was the leading goal scorer for two years. Cindi played professionally with the Majestics and the Maryland Pride. Her Maryland Pride team was W-League Champion and USASA Amateur Cup Champion during the 1996, 1997, and 1998 seasons.

John is beginning his third season as D.C. United’s Director of Youth Development, where he oversees the youth teams and Academy programs.
Earlier in his career, he played soccer for three years at the University of Virginia, then left to help the US qualify for the 1990 World Cup. John was a member of the U.S. National Team and played in two matches at the 1988 Olympics, all three matches at the 1990 World Cup, and three matches at the 1994 World Cup. After the 1990 World Cup, he began his professional career in England and played in both the English First Division and the Premier League. In 1996, John returned to the United States for Major League Soccer’s inaugural year. During his seven years in Major League Soccer, he played with D.C. United, New England Revolution, and Columbus Crew, and made six appearances on the MLS All-Star team. John was inducted into the US National Hall of Fame in 2005.

Angela played her collegiate soccer at the University of Virginia, where she was a four-year all-ACC player and is still Virginia’s career women’s leader in goals, game-winning goals, and total points. After graduation she played for the Hampton Roads Piranhas of the W-League. Angela was drafted in the 2001 WUSA inaugural draft by the Boston Breakers of the WUSA and played for three seasons, moved to the Boston Renegades for two years, and then was allocated to the Boston Breakers in 2008, where she played for a year. She was a member of the gold-medal-winning US teams at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Olympics in China. Angela retired from both club and international soccer in 2009 and now serves as a soccer analyst for NBC Sports. Angela Hucles was named the president of the National Women's Sports Foundation in 2015.

Steve Jolley led his Kempsville High School teams to back-to-back Virginia State Championships. He played collegiate soccer a The College of William and Mary, where he was a four-time All-CAA Awardee and was CAA’s Rookie of the Year in 1993. He was named to Soccer America’s Freshman All-American Team, and earned three All-South Atlantic team honors. Steve played professionally with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the MetroStars, the Dallas Burn, and the New York Red Bulls, and earned MLS Humanitarian of the Year honors in 2002.

Kathy Erickson (Player) - Inducted 2007Kathy Kelly Erickson’s soccer career began when she was a young girl and her mother agreed to coach her team. She later played with WAGSL and was a four-year varsity player at Oakton High School. Kathy attended the University of North Carolina from 1981-84; her team won national championships all four years she played. She went to Spain to finish her degree, then played adult soccer in Virginia and Atlanta. Her adult team was Georgia State Champion. Kathy coached youth teams for many years in Georgia. In 1997 her team participated in the Gothia Cup; Kathy had played in the Gothia Cup as a teenager in 1979. In 2001 her U16 girls’ team won the NSCAA Youth Championship. She and the other coaches of that team worked with the players to ensure that each girl was awarded a scholarship to the college of her choice. Kathy then coached high school soccer for three years. She is now very involved in her children’s activities and still plays soccer as much as possible.

John Kerr began his career in the in 1968 with the NASL’s Detroit Cougars. That same year he also captained the Canadian National Team in the World Cup Elimination Tournament. For the next several years he played with the ASL Washington Darts and coached at Georgetown University and American University. John next played with the HOTA Club of the German American Soccer League, the New York Cosmos, Club of the Mexican First Division, and then back to the Cosmos. He was named #10 on Soccer America’s 20 Men of Influence in Soccer in 1981. His Montgomery United team won the U16 North American Championship in 1981. He also coached the Fairfax Spartans to the National Amateur Championships in 1986. In 1997, John organized the first Soccer Players Association and the first Players Association in the Major Indoor Soccer League, and negotiated Collective Bargaining Agreements, including freedom of contract for the players, in both of those agreements.

Megan is a high school math teacher who has always been very active in soccer. As a student, she was a member of the 1984 U-19 National Champion Team, the Virginia State and Region I teams, and was an NSCAA High School All-American in 1983 and 1984. While attending college, Megan was the NCAA Collegiate Player of the Year in 1987, was a three-time NCAA College All-American player, and was inducted into the College of William and Mary Athletic Hall of Fame in 1998. She played professionally with F.C. Prato and with the Maryland Pride. Megan was a member of the U.S. Women’s Team for several years and was a National Soccer Hall of Fame Medal of Honor Recipient in 2001. Megan has been an assistant coach at the College of William and Mary, George Mason University, and Centreville High School, as well as head coach of the Braddock Road Youth Club Aurora since 1999.

Marcia was one of VYSA’s pioneer players. She played with WAGS and on VYSA ODP teams for many years, and then was a member of three NCAA championship teams at the University of North Carolina, where she was named NCAA All-American in 1986. She played on seven US National Teams and then became head coach at Maryland and Arkansas. Marcia started the women’s soccer program at Northwestern in 1994 and led the Wildcats to two NCAA Tournaments. She was named the NSCAA Great Lakes Regional Coach of the Year in 1998. She also served as the first coach of the WUSA’s Carolina Courage, which won the regular season and the Founders Cup II Championships in 2002. She is the first general manager of Chicago’s new professional women’s soccer team, the Chicago Red Stars, and in 2010 will assume duties as NSCAA president.

Jaime will be remembered as one of the greatest players in Major League Soccer history. He was the League’s first dominant striker and a key member of the D.C. United teams that captured a league-leading 12 trophies in MLS’ first 13 years. He was a seven time all-star, a five-time member of the MLS Best XI, and winner of the 1997 MLS Golden Boot award. He is third all-time in MLS scoring and was the first player in League history to reach the 100 goal, 100-assist plateau. Jaime was the head coach of D.C United’s U-23 team from 2011-2013 and also had a 15-year career with the Bolivian National Team.

Colleen played as a youth with the Arlington Soccer Association in WAGS, and was a member of the VYSA ODP and Region I ODP. She was a four-year varsity player in high school and four-time AllMet selection. Colleen attended Brown University where she le her team to four Ivy League titles, made All-Ivy all four years, and was a two-time All-American. She was sleected Ivy league Co-Player of the Year her senior year and was named Brown University's Outstanding Woman Athlete of the Year. As an adult, Colleen was a member of the Virginia State Select Soccer team that won Regional titles three times. Her O-30 team was National Cup champion four years and her O-40 team was National Cup Champion in 2006.

Oliver, a native of Philadelphia, Oliver enjoyed a playing career that included four national championships, professional and All-Star play in the American Soccer League, the US Pan American Team (1963) and the US Olympic Team (1964). Oliver played with the Central Valet and Washington Internationals in Washington in the early 1960’s, winning league titles and the Stewart Cup. He played with the Washington All-Stars against foreign touring teams and is the only DC resident ever to make a US National Soccer Team. Oliver holds a USSF “A” Coaching License, is Director of Coaching for the DC Stoddert Soccer League and serves on VYSA’s State Coaching Staff. He was inducted into the USSF National Soccer Hall of Fame in 1996, received VYSA’s “Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award” in 1997, was named to the Philadelphia Old-timers Hall of Fame in 1998, and received the NSCAA’s Youth Long Term Achievement Award” in 1999. On March 21, 2015, Len will be inducted into the inaugural class for the newly-founded Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer Association’s Hall of Fame.

Rob Olson (Player) - Inducted 2006Rob played soccer at the College of William and Mary, where his team won three Virginia State Championships and where he was named to the
Senior Bowl, All-South, and All-State teams. He was the second all-time leading scorer when he graduated. After graduation, Rob was a member
of the 1983 US National Team and then played professionally with the Georgia Generals (American Soccer League), Team America (North
American Soccer League), Kalamazoo Kangaroos (AISA Indoor League), and the Washington Stars (ASL). Since 1997, Rob has been the
full-time Director of Coaching and Player Development for Southwestern Youth Association Soccer, where he is responsible for almost 3,000
players each season. He has been on the Soccer Academy staff for 20 years and is the Assistant Director of Soccer Education and Training and
a coach in many of its programs. Rob currently coaches a U17 WAGS team and is on the VYSA Coaching Education staff.

Ben started and played every game for three seasons at the University of Virginia. In 1997 he was the Soccer America Player of the Year and finalist for the Hermann Trophy and also an NSCAA All-American first-team member. After his junior year he was allocated to D. C. United where he played for 12 seasons and won many trophies, including MLS Rookie of the Year (1998), MLS Cup MVP (1999), and MLS Best XI (2007). Ben was a member of the Men’s National Team from 1998-2006, on the bronze-medal winning team at the 2000 Olympics, and on the 2006 World Cup team. He retired as a player in 2009, became D. C. United’s assistant Head Coach prior to the 2010 season, was named interim head coach mid-way through, and then hired permanently at the end of the season. D. C. United finished in first place in the Eastern Conference in 2014, and Ben was named MLS Coach of the Year.

Phillips led his Trinidad & Tobago team to a Pan American Games Bronze medal in 1967. He was drafted the following year by the Baltimore Bays of the NASL, and the next season became player/coach of the Washington Darts of the ASL. As head coach at Howard University he led his team to two NCAA Championships and won Coach of the Year honors in 1971 and 1974. In 1990 he became the head coach of Virginia Commonwealth University. He has served as the goalkeeper coach for several USSF National teams and is the author of Goalkeeping: The Last Line of Defense: The First Line of Attack. Phillips was inducted into the Hall of Fame of Howard University in 1996 and the Hall of Fame of Trinidad and Tobago in 1998. He is the owner and director of the Lincoln Phillips Soccer School and the Top Flight Goalkeeping Academy.

Thomas played for the Dutch club Ajax and with the Dutch Olympic Team before moving to the United States in 1979 when he joined the LA
Aztecs of the NASL. He played for the Washington Diplomats and was a player, player-coach, and coach with the Fort Lauderdale Strikers.
He also coached at Nova Southeastern University. Thomas went on to become the winningest coach in MLS history with Tampa Bay Mutiny, New England Revolution, and DC United. He was named Coach of the Year in 1996 while with Tampa Bay, and won his first MLS crown with DC United in 1999. Thomas currently coaches the U20 Men’s National Team, and led the team to the U20 World Cup in 2007 and 2009.Thomas was
the Academy Director for Toronto FC from 2012 & 2013. He is the Head Coach for Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) at present.

Smith, an Englishman, was offered but refused, a professional contract by Blackpool United, a Top Professional team in those days. He played with the British Army All-Stars, as well as in Detroit where his team won the Michigan State Cup. Smith was an outstanding center halfback in Washington during the 1950’s and 1960’s, playing with Maggies, Washington Internationals and Central Valet. He was asked to try out for the US Pan American Team, but was unable to do so because of non-citizenship. His teams won several National Soccer League titles and the Stewart Cup. He consistently made the Washington DC All-Star teams during his era, captaining the Washington All-Stars against Baltimore All-Stars and touring teams on several occasions.

Gayle is a native Northern Virginian who started playing in WAGS at age 11. Her Braddock Road Youth Club Cobras were National Cup Finalists. She participated in the ODP program from age 12, and was a member of Region 1 teams and Youth National Teams. She played in 11 Olympic and National Soccer Festivals. While at McLean High School, Gayle was named the 1986 Virginia High School Player of the Year. As the first full-scholarship player at the University of Virginia, she was awarded All-ACC and All-South Honors. Gayle was a member of the National Amateur Select and the US Women’s National Teams, and in 1995 played in the USISL Men’s Professional League for the Washington Mustangs. She has been coaching in WAGS and NCSL for 15 years, and is currently a member of the State ODP Staff and Head District Coach for the Girls North Program.

Stollmeyer was a two-time All-American while in high school and in 1981 was named U. S. Athlete of the Year at the Youth World Cup. At Indiana University he earned Collegiate All-American honors three times. He played in the Indianapolis Pan American Games in 1982 and the Yugoslavia World University Games in 1987. Stollmeyer participated in the Olympic Sports Festival for four years. He played with the Cleveland Force from 1986-88, earning Rookie of the Year honors in 1986. He played in the Seoul Olympics in 1988 and the Italy World Cup in 1990. He was inducted into the Indiana Youth Soccer Association Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Indiana Athletic Hall of Fame two years later.

Rob attended Davidson College, where he was a two time All-American under Coach Charlie Slagle. In 1992, Rob helped his team reach the
NCAA Final Four that was hoted by Davidson college, an even that was eventually won by UVA. He was the nation’s leading scorer, named the
Intercollegiate Soccer Association ofAmerica Player of the Year, and one of the three finalists for the Hermann Award. He was a member of the USA National “B” team and the U23 National Team. He competed in the 1993 World University Games in Buffalo. As a professional player, Rob competed with teams in the NPSL, APSL, MLS, and the USL. He spent most of his career with the Richmond Kickers helping to lead them to the the 1995 US Open Cup Championship and the 1995 USISL League Championship. In 1996 he scored the first two goals in New England Revolution franchise history. Upon his retirement from the Kickers in 2004, Rob held the club record for career goals, career assists, career points, and matches. He continues to be involved with the Richmond Kickers as a coach and a member of their Board of Directors. Rob also serves on the leadership team for Richmond United (a collaboration between the Richmond Kickers and the Richmond Strikers) which oversees the US Development Academy and ECNL programs for the Richmond region.

Dante played college soccer at Radford University, where he led the nation in scoring in 1988 and 1990 and was named a first team All-American in 1991. That year he also participated on the US U-23 team and was the first black player to score a goal for the team. In 1992 he earned Academic A ll-America honors and was a member of the US Olympic Men’s Soccer Team. Dante played indoors with the Washington Warthogs in the CISL and the Baltimore Blast of the MISL. He went on to play for the Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, and Real Salt Lake of the MLS. He spent two years with the Virginia Beach Marines of the A-League, where he led the league in scoring in 2004. Dante recently served as the MLS Regional Ambassador for Youth and Fan Development in the Northeast and as color commentator for Columbus Crew.

Werner was born in Russia and attended Lynchburg University, where he achieved the honors of All Mason-Dixon, All State, Regional All-American, and All-American. After graduation he played in the NSL in Washington, DC and for the Schweigert Soccer Club in the National Soccer League. He has been the Men’s Soccer Coach at Randolph-Macon College since 1962. In 1970 and 1971 he was President of the Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association. Werner won Coach of the Year Awards from the Virginia Intercollegiate Soccer Association for six years, from the Virginia College Athletic Association in 1974, from the South Atlantic Region (NSCAA) in 1988, and the ODAC Conference in 1999. In addition to his head coaching duties, Werner is also the Director/Owner of the Randolph-Macon Soccer Camp.

Richie was named the interim head coach of the New York Red Bulls in August, 2009, after serving as assistant coach for four years. Prior to that, he played for DC United for six seasons and the Red Bulls for two. Over the course of his career he played in 216 regular season games and was a member of three of DC United’s championship teams. Richie made 17 appearances with the US National Team, and played on both the U-20 and U-23 teams. He was a member of two NCAA National Championship teams while at the University of Virginia, where he also spent two seasons as assistant coach.

Staci played her youth soccer with Reston united in WAGS, which won the U14 VYSA and Region I Championships. As U16s the team was the US youth SoccerNational Runner-Up. While inhighschool she was an NSCAA All-American and Parade High School All American. Staci was named the Soccer America National Freshman of the Year at the University of North Carolina and was a member of the 1996 gold medal-winning Olympic team. After college she trained youth travel teams in Northern Virginia and palyed profesionally winning a chanpionship with the Carolina Courage. As a coach, Staci has worked with the Philadelphia Independence, Howard University, and Florida Atlantic University. She is currently the Head Coach and trainer with Team Boca Soccer Club in Palm Beach Country.

Zito, a native of Brazil, played with the Vasco da Gama Juniors. In Washington, Zito played with Maggies, Hispano Soccer Club, St. Gerard Soccer Club of Baltimore and the Washington Darts. Zito was an outstanding “inside right” in the old “W-M” system. A spectacular ball-control artist and dribbler, the diminutive Zito could turn a game around in a flash. In the early 1960’s, Zito’s skills helped his team win the Stewart Cup, the Arnold Cup, the Couglin Cup, the Rowland Cup, and the National Soccer League Championship. Zito regularly played on the Washington All-Star teams, for the Baltimore All-Stars, and for the Philadelphia Ukrainian Nationals against Sheffield United.